Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 784,152. PATENTED MAR. '7, 1905. H. GOODAOBE.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB. 23.1904.

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l I I @j qiforgc ys No. 784,152. PATENTED MAR. '7, 1905.

H. GOODAGEE.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 23.1904.

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NITED TATES Patented March 7, 1905.

HENRY (f1()()l)AOl:tE, ()F FLORA, INDIANA.

MGETYLENE GAE GENEWMTQW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 784,152, dated March 7, 1905,

Application filed February 23, 1904. Serial No, 194,824.

To (tZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, H nNm GooDAonma citizen of the United States, residing at Flora, in the county of Carroll and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Acetylene-Gas Generator for Stereopticons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in acetylene-gas generators.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an acetylene-gas generator to be used for stereopticons and lanterns of like character, the parts being so constructed and arranged as to permit of their being assembled in very com pact form for convenience in transportation, so that a person giving exhibitions may readily pack all of the parts, including the lantern, in a small water-tank and carry them from place to place, the tank serving in transportation to prevent injury to the lantern and other parts of the apparatus and at the exhibiting-point being used as asupply-tank and water seal for the acetylenegenerator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of acetylene-gas generator in which the pressure of gas automatically controls the level of water in the generator tank, the carbid being disposed in a stationary receptacle and the water-level fluctuating in accordance with the quantity and pressure of gas generated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which provision is made for washing the gas, so as to purify the same, before it passes to the point of consumption.

WVith these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal sectional elevation of an acetylene-gas generator constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the parts as adjusted for the generation of gas. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the various parts packed for transportation. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. at is a detail perspective view of the upper portion of the main gas-holder.

Similarcharacters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

, The main tank 1 of the apparatus is of any suitable capacity, but is preferably of such size as will permit of its being carried by hand from place to place. In the lower portion of the tank is a generating-chamber 2 in the form of a box or casing, having an open bottom which rests on the bottom of the tank 1, but does not lit snugly thcreagainst, suflicient space being left for the passage of water, and the horizontal area of the chamber 2 is some what less than that of the tank 1, so as to provide a free open space for the passage of water all around the chamber 2. One end of the chamber is divided off by a vertical partition 3 and horizontal partition t into an auxiliary washing chamber or tank 5, that communicates with the generating-chan1ber through opening 6 and is lilled with water up to the level of the opening. The opening 6 is covered by a hood or deflector 7, the lower edge of which extends below the \vat 'n'-level, so that the gas entering through the opening must pass downward through the water for a short distance and yield up any impurities which it may contain. The carbid is supported in a basket 8, that preferably is formed of wire-netting, and at one end of the basket is a hook 9, which enters the opening 6 and serves as a support for this end of the basket. The opposite end of the basket is supported by a spring 10, that is secured at its lower end to a vertical wall of the chamber 2, and at its upper free end has a shoulder 11. for engaging the under side of the basket.

At a point just below the top of the chamber 5 is arranged an inwardly-projecting flange 18, forming a seat for a removable gas containing and drying chan'iber 15, which is provided at its lower end with an inturned flange 16, and to the bottom of this flange 16 is secured a packing-strip 17, which may be in the form of a rubber tube, so that when compressed or flattened by downward pressure of the gas-tank 15 it will form a tight joint and prevent the leakage of gas. This chamber is filled with absorbent material, such as cotton, to dry the gas.

At the top of the gas-drying tank is a valved nipple 16, to which a flexible gas-tube may connect for leading the gas to the point of consumption, in this case the lantern.

The side walls of the main tank 1 are provided with openings 17 for the reception of a removable transversely-arranged bar 18, which carries a pair of set-screws 19, adapted to engage against the top of the drying-tank 15, and in order to prevent injury to the tank contact or wear plates 19 are secured to the top of the tankto be engaged by the screws, and said screws are turned until the packing 17 is compressed to an extent sufficient to form a gas-tight joint.

In the operation of the device the contact of the water with the carbid in the chamber 2 will cause the formation of gas, which will pass through the opening 6 and thence downward under the hood 7 and after being washed will pass into the main gas-drying tank 15 and from thence may be led to the point of consumption. The pressure of the gas will serve to force a portion of the water out of the chamber 2, the water passing out from the bottom of the chamber, and the water-level will fluctuate in accordance with the pressure of the gas. At times water will be driven below the plane of the carbid-basket and will gradually rise as the gas is consumed until it again comes into contact with the carbid and fresh gasis formed. As soon as the pressure increases the water will be again partly forced out of the generating-chamber, and this action will continue until the supply of carbid is consumed. v

The apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is designed principally as a portable apparatus tobe used for giving stereopticon exhibitions in halls or other places where it is impracticable to furnish the necessary light, and to this end the parts are so arranged that a traveling exhibitor may pack the lantern and all of the parts of the generator in the tank, as shown in Fig. 2, the whole being in such compact form that it may be readily carried from place to place. Thelantern A is of ordinary construction and is provided with the usual transparent panel a for inspection of the flame. The apparatus may of course be used for other purposes-as, for instance, taking photographs or for illuminating purposes generally.

The arrangement of the parts when packed for transportation. is shown in Fig. 2, and in this case a small auxiliary plate 20 is placed on the flange 18 of the washing-tank, the generating-tank 2 forming a cover for all of the other parts when assembled in the main water-tank.

Inasmuch as the apparatus is used for only a comparatively short time,it is not diflicult to cleanse the carbid-basket and other portions of the apparatus that are likely to become dirty, and the carbid-basket will generally be arranged to hold a-quantity of carbid suflicient for the production of light necessary for a single illumination.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is- 1. The combination with a tank, of a generating-chamber disposed within the tank, and removable therefrom, a gas-washing chamber formed by a partition at one end of the generating-chamber, a carbid-basket detachably mounted within the generating-chamber, a re- Y movable drying-tank disposed above and in communication with the washingchamber, and a locking means for holding the parts in position within the tank.

2. In an acetylene-gas generator, a Watertank, a removable casing disposed therein, and forming a generating-chamber, a carbid-holder in the generating-chamber, a washing-chamber in communication with the generatingchamber and serving to contain water for washing the gas, a deflecting-hood for directing the gas below the surface of the water, a removable gas-drying tank disposed above the washingchamber, a compressible packing between the tank and washing-chamber, and means for exerting downward pressure on the gas-tank for compressing the packing and locking the parts in working position.

3. In an acetylene-gas generator, a watercontaining tank, a removable casing disposed in the tank and forming a generating-chamher, a partition disposed at one end of the chamber and forming a washing-chamber, said partition having an opening near its top for placing the two chambers in communication, a hood extending from the opening and serving to deflect the gas below the level of the washingwater, a carbid-basket, a hook carried by one end of the basket for engaging said opening, a spring for the support of the opposite end of the basket, a removable gasdrying tank in communication with the washing-chamber, a compressible packing between the tank and chamber, and a clamping means for engaging the tank and exerting downward pressure thereon.

4. In an acetylene-gas generator, a watercontaining tank, a casing disposed therein, and forming a generatingchamber, a partition disposed at one end of the generating-chamber and forming a washing-chamber, a carbidholder in the generating-chamber,a removable gas-drying tank having at its bottom an inwardly-projecting flange supported by a similar flange at the top of the washing-chamber, a compressible packing between the two gas-drying tank of less area than the generating-chamber and arranged to nest Within the same for transportation, and means for holding the parts in position Within the tank. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed mysignature in the presence of two Witnesses.

HEN RY GOODAORE. \Vitnesses:

\VALDo E. CALLANE, Jo HN W ILKINsoN. 

